Ron Medich faces murder retrial

Millionaire property developer Ron Medich directed the contract murder of a hated business enemy after their once-close relationship soured and "turned completely hostile," a jury has been told.

Medich and Michael McGurk were involved in many business ventures but by 2009 were embroiled in multi-million dollar legal disputes, prosecutor Sharon Harris said in the crown opening address on Tuesday.

Medich, 69, has pleaded not guilty in the NSW Supreme Court to murdering Mr McGurk, 45, on September 3, 2009, and to intimidating his widow Kimberley McGurk in August 2010.

The businessman was fatally shot at close range in the side of his head outside his Sydney home in Cremorne after he pulled up in his car with a takeaway meal he'd just bought for his family.

After a jury of 11 men and one woman was selected, Justice Geoffrey Bellew said it was no secret "the accused stood trial in this court about this time last year and the jury in this case found themselves unable to reach a verdict".

"The fact that this accused has stood trial before is completely irrelevant to any part of your task" he said.

Ms Harris contended "the accused was part of a joint criminal enterprise or agreement with others to murder the deceased and intimidate his wife" and financed the crimes.

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Medich's perceived embarrassment, anger and frustration led to his directing his trusted and devoted friend Fortunato "Lucky" Gattellari to "permanently resolve" the issue and organise the murder, the prosecutor said.

While the pair was once described as being "joined at the hip" and "speaking with the same voice", Gattellari would be giving evidence for the crown against the millionaire.

He pleaded guilty to his role in the murder and was jailed for at least seven years six months in May 2013, receiving a 60 per cent discount for his plea and for undertaking to give evidence.

Three other men, one of whom will also testify for the crown, have also been sentenced for their admitted roles.

Ms Harris said the business relationship between Medich and Mr McGurk turned completely hostile by early 2009.

"The two men had a number of court cases against each other, in the Federal and Supreme courts, both claiming they had been ripped off by the other, each claiming they were owed millions of dollars."

Meanwhile, the longstanding business and personal relationship between Medich and Gattellari became even closer.

Medich invested money in various projects proposed by Gattellari, including $14 million-$16 million in a joint electrical company venture, deals which were undocumented.

Gattellari collected debts on behalf of the millionaire and organised surveillance of Medich's wife, Odessa, at his request, Ms Harris said.

"A significant part of Gattellari's role was to keep Medich company" at lunches, the races, and interstate and international travel trips.

She said this closeness and "mutual dependency" led Medich to turn to Gattellari to permanently resolve his problems with Mr McGurk.

Gattellari was not paid for organising the murder but agreed "because of his devotion" to Medich, she said.